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Anatomy & Histology · single question

Which muscles are actively involved in the voluntary (oral) phase of swallowing?

  1. The tongue and buccinator, along with other skeletal muscles of the oral and pharyngeal phases
  2. Only smooth muscle of the esophagus
  3. Only the muscles of mastication
  4. The muscles of facial expression exclusively
Show answer and explanation

Correct answer: A. The tongue and buccinator, along with other skeletal muscles of the oral and pharyngeal phases

Swallowing begins with voluntary tongue and buccinator action to push the bolus posteriorly, followed by an involuntary pharyngeal phase driven by skeletal pharyngeal constrictor muscles, before smooth muscle peristalsis takes over in the esophagus.

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